Hi again, Trev777,
We're the only primate that does so in response to embarrassing situations(shame), or when caught in a lie (guilt), and one wonders why we needed such an obvious signal to communicate these self conscious feelings. Blushing interferes with the unscrupulous manipulation of others. Were early humans subjected to selection pressures to keep them honest? What was it's survival value?
Breeding. It would not work for any primate with facial hair.
http://animal.discovery.com/...riefs/20060313/birdblush.html
quote:
According to a recent paper in the journal Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology, blushing appears to cool down physically and/or emotionally heated birds. It also likely indicates the condition or status of the blusher.
Lead author Juan Jos Negro told Animal Planet News that there probably are similarities between bird and human blushing.
"Young girls going to balls used to pinch their cheeks to enhance facial redness," he explained. "Some women today wear rouge, as they want to show men that they are beautiful and in good condition. Birds also attempt to look good for their mates, so there is a parallel."
Seeing as there is significant evidence of sexual selection in humans, one more feature that would be reinforced by such selection is not a big surprise, nor much of a concern.
Enjoy.
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